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Saturday, December 1, 2012

Using Podcasts in Language Classrooms

Podcasts can be used in language classrooms in the way of integrating the four main language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing).

In listening and speaking class, by employing podcasts, teachers can help students toimprove note-taking and discussion skills. When they listen the first time, students need to listen and write down as much information as they can according to what they hear. They can listen again, when they need to pay special attention to catch the key words and try to make an outline of the podcast. Teachers can also design certain transcripts completion worksheets as scaffolding to help students to capture the missing information. Then, students will be required to compare the notes they took in groups and each group needs to give definition of the key/new concepts from the podcasts or reading material. Hence, their speaking skills will be improved as well when exchanging their notes. In reading and writing class, teachers can use a podcast as a prompt, after which students will be given some other relevant reading materials of the same topic as the podcast's. Hence, students can get an reinforcement in understanding the theme based on the context of what they have heard and read. Also, teachers can design a series of questions involved higher order of thinking, like analyzing the reason and offering solutions, etc. For example, in a group discussion section, students will be asked to state their opinion by using the facts or expressions from the podcast or reading material to support their views. In the end, students will be required to summarize what they learned from the podcast and reading material.

About Me

Currently, I am a graduate student in Bilingual Education. I completed my master degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) in the USA,
which not only provides me with advanced teaching methodologies, but also
allows me to identify the difficulties that second language learners encounter,
depending on their native languages.

During my time here, I have been a teaching
assistant to help local students learn Chinese. I am familiar with the
challenges that English speakers face when they learn Chinese, such as
mastering tones and characters. I find enjoyment in helping my students build a
solid foundation and have close access to the beauty of Chinese language and
culture.